The Oregon Ducks softball team defeated Ohio State 13-6 on April 25, rallying from a four-run deficit at Jane Sanders Stadium. Emma Cox hit two home runs, and Katie Flannery delivered a grand slam in the sixth inning to secure the win for No. 12 Oregon.
This victory marks Oregon’s 18th come-from-behind win of the season and helps them bounce back after only their second shutout loss of the year. The Ducks scored most of their runs in the later innings, putting up three in the fourth, four in the fifth, and six in the sixth. “I think this group, they always respond when things don’t go our way,” said coach Melyssa Lombardi. “They always respond. Every single version has done that since I’ve been here, and I appreciate that.” Lombardi also said, “We knew it was going to be again, two heavyweights going at it and just throwing blow for blow… So, I thought once we settled in on our defense, you saw our offense settle in the middle of the game and put up three runs in the fourth inning, four runs in the fifth inning, six runs in the sixth inning.”
Ohio State managed only four hits during the game but made each one count as all were home runs—three solo shots and a three-run homer early on. Despite this power display by Ohio State batters Hadley Parisien and Skylar Limon among others, Oregon’s offense proved more consistent with runners on base.
Elise Sokolsky started for Oregon and allowed five runs (four earned) over several innings before Lyndsey Grein closed out with two scoreless frames to earn her first save of the season. Lombardi said about her pitchers: “I love the way Elise and Lyndsey came in and threw… I just loved how we finished the game… that’s just a sign of a really mature team that’s united and together.” Freshman Amanda Urbina contributed her first career RBI with a sacrifice fly.
Catcher Emma Cox reflected on overcoming Friday’s loss: “I think we just took (Friday’s) loss really hard… We didn’t give up, we fought to the end, and we just trusted in each other and believed in each other.” Taryn Ho added three hits alongside Cox while Butler’s home run brought her season total to sixteen.
Looking ahead, Oregon will face Ohio State again Sunday at noon for Senior Day where they will honor six seniors after attempting to clinch their fifteenth consecutive Big Ten series win.
